HILLSBORO — Visiting New Lisbon scored 27 unanswered points to hand depleted Hillsboro a 27–7 loss in another muddy Scenic Bluffs Conference football game last Friday night to spoil the Tigers' Homecoming.
Hillsboro’s biggest highlight came late in the opening quarter when junior running back Jacob Urban ripped off a 70-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 7–0 lead.
But it was all down hill from there.
The Rockets (4–1, 2–1 SBC) answered with a 43-yard touchdown run by Zach Loew, the second-leading rusher in the SBC, two minutes into the second quarter. New Lisbon caught the Hillsboro defense in a shift on the play.
Gunnar Pedersen completed the two-point conversion pass to Thomas Torkelson to make it 8–6.
Then on 4th and 13 with 1:16 left in the opening half, Pedersen completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Sam Rogers.
Hillsboro’s Dane Bach batted the pass and it fell right into the hands of Rogers laying in the end zone.
“Up to that point, we had been the more consistent offensive team and moved the ball around the field,” said Auel. “Unfortunately, miscues and mistakes took their toll. We had five or six snaps that were fumbled in the muck and several key penalties and missed assignments that put us behind the chains.”
Loew broke a 40-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter, then scored from 10 yards out a few plays later to make it 20–7.
“At that point, the kids mentally and physically appeared to check out,” said Auel. “I felt we were the better team and our kids didn’t play to their strengths and made too many mistakes to remain in the ballgame. They really didn’t sustain drives throughout the game but made plays when they needed to get the win.”
The Rockets put the game out of reach with a 34-yard touchdown run by Pedersen in the closing minute.
Loew finished the game with 118 yards rushing on 16 carries.
Urban led the Tigers 82 yards on nine carries. Senior Justin Muller added 55 yards on 12 carries.
Sophomore Dane Bach, who moved to quarterback to replaced the injured Austin Shore, completed 1 of 6 passes for 30 yards to Lee Richardson.
Seniors Phillip Beyer and Ben Weber each made eight tackles to lead the Tigers’ defense.
New Lisbon improved to 4–1 overall and 2–1 in the SBC, while Hillsboro fell to 2–3 and 0–2. The Tigers must now win three of their final four games to make the playoffs. They will travel to Cashton (1–4, 1–2) this Friday.
“The conference start is definitely not what we had hoped for,” said Auel. “We certainly thought that both games should be wins for us. It will be an uphill battle but I feel we can compete with our remaining schedule. We’ll need to win three of our final four to get back into the playoffs. It is doable but certainly will take some discipline and hard work.”
INJURY UPDATE
Shore is likely out for the football season, but he should be ready for basketball season.
Following last week’s loss to Brookwood Shore was taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery Compartment
Syndrome in his upper thigh.
According to coach Auel, Compartment Syndrome is essentially a deep muscle bruise. The injury required two more surgeries.
“Austin’s absence required some juggling of positions, moving Dane Bach to quarterback and relying more heavily on Preston Kaus, Jacob Urban, and Noah Feala at halfback,” said Auel. “We also moved Justin Muller to fullback. The absence takes a toll on our depth within the backfield.”
New Lisbon 27, Hillsboro 7
(from Friday, Sept. 16 @ Hillsboro)
New Lisbon 0 14 0 13 – 27
Hillsboro 7 0 0 0 – 7
First quarter
H: Jacob Urban 70 run (Astri Bryntesson kick)
Second quarter
NL: Zach Loew 43 run (Thomas Torkelson pass from Gunnar Pedersen)
NL: Sam Rogers 15 pass from Gunnar Pedersen (pass failed)
Fouth quarter
NL: Loew 10 run (pass failed)
NL: Pedersen 34 run (Rogers kick)
Team Statistics
First downs: NL 10, H 5. Rushing yards: NL 38-229, H 33-143. Passing: NL 2-6-0, 12; H 1-7-1, 30. Fumbles–lost: NL 2-0, H 4-1. Penalties: NL 3-30, H 7-40.
Individual Statistics
Rushing: NL: Zach Loew 16-118; H: Jacob Urban 9-82. Passing: NL: Gunnar Pedersen 2-6-0, 12; H: Dane Bach 1-6-0, 30. Receiving: NL: Sam Rogers 2-12; H: Lee Richardson 1-30.
